Apparatus for making chain



June 16, 1931. s, LOCKE 1,810,716

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN Filed Aug. 24, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet l' INVENTOR. Jy/vamw 12 Lac/re A TTORNE Y June 16,1931. 5. D. LOCKE 1,310,716

- APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN Filed Aug. 24, 192 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jylvanus D; Lac/re JY A TTORN June 16, 1931. s. D. LOCKE 1, 1

I APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN Filed Aug. 24, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet .3

---- INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY Jy/vanus D. Laclrc' BY June 16, 1931.

S. D. LOCKE APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN Filed Aug. 24, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO/R,

ATTORNEY June 16, 1931. s. D. LOCKE APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN Filed Aug. 24, 1926 7 SheetsSheet 5K I'Ill. [ll

II I

y/vafm; D Lac/re. ATTORNEY? June 16, 1931. s. D. LocKE APPARATUS FOR MAKING Q I IN Filed Aug. 24, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Mm w? @N KAN Q N3 J J A L m x 1 1| w A N A n :I I a: :2: AAA 1. l 5'; MD wn Q3 RN w *M\ WMN. g

A TTORNEY s. D. 'LOCKE 1,810,716

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN June N5, 1931.

7 SheetsSheet 7 Filed Aug. 24, 1926 IN VEN T0 R. Jy/vanus D L oc/re.

-A TITORNEY Patented. June 16, 1 9 31 '-I s rafrps SYLVIAN'USi- DLLQCKE, on ianrnsnrorir, donnEcTicUT; As'sIeNoa T0 THE momma: j CHAIN COMPANY, or Barns-Eron'r, ,connncrrcur,A conronarronor CONNEGTIGUT- chains.

APPARATUS Eon MAKrNscrr-Mn v Application filed August 24, 1926. SerialNo. 13l;233.'

Thisinventionl relates to an apparatus for anda process of making chainlinksand assembling the-same, and pertains essentially to themanufacture of sheet ;metal drive The invention presents general and specific improvements over the disclosures of structures such, for example, as thatof. the patent I to Osswald, No. 1,107,831, granted August 18, 1914-. In said patent, the specific appara- I tus: illustrated and described contemplates successive operations upon strip'metal to provide inearly completed chain links integral with the strip,,severance of the nearly com pletedchainili.nks.fronrthe strip, and connectionof each severedli'nk' to a continuously increasing strand .of chain. While apparatus such as that :of the patentto Osswald identifiedn's' eificientin practice-in, the production of cliain'links and chain, great' 'care' must be exercised to insure-that the different sets of working elements which successively act upon the strip metal and its integral, partially completed links are properly situated relatively to oachzother, andto insurethattherewill be exact,,registrationwith the working elements ofv the whole of the length ofthe strip metal andisaidiintegral, partially completed chainv links. Furthermore, when utilizing capparatus such asfthatof the Osswald patent identified to make chain, there is Wasted from each coil a length or strip of uncompleted links usually amounting to several blanks and asmall length ofunworked steel, and to prevent additional wasteit is necessary to feed themetalstrip by-hand after it leaves the feed jaws. In starting operations-upon a strip fewlinks are wastedbefore the newl J started operations become properly located on the dies. After a strip-is fed'to the first operation :by hand, it-is fed by power to the other operations, but several links must be discarded before a perfect one is formed, ow-

inp jto the fact that veach operation influences the location of tlieblank on the other operatioris, EUKl IlHiJll'ZLllDk is made from a blank started 1 after :a complete set: of operations is made-the links will be imperfect. ,iinqilnportant object ,ofthe present inventionis to provide an apparatus for-and a successive transforming operations upon each;

process of successively transforming metals stool into connectedichain links wherein each;

trja sforniin operation (ordesired; segregated series of operations)' is performed'practically independently of all other operations orsegregated series of operations), whereby thesituatmgof the differentsets of working elements to successively act upon the: stock;

in proper relation'to each other and the ac complishmentof the necessary: registration; of thestock withrsaid working elements are a greatly facilitated.

A furtherimportant object is to provide an apparatssforand a process of making, chain links whichconteinplate the. successive severs, ance of individual blanks froma strip of metal, and the performance of successive transforming operations upon each severed blank to produce a'chain-link, whereby to make just as good a link fromthe first blank as from any other blank, toproperly com plete'every blank which is started, and to more easily, and accurately'locate each blank during the differenttransforming operations. Another important objectv is to provide an apparatus for and a process of making connected chain links which contemplate the successive severance of blanks; one "by one, from a strip of metal, the performance of,"

forming operations upon each severed blank to produce a nearly completed chain link, the

performance of each-successive operation or segregatedseries of operations) being independentofall other operations (or segregated series of operations) ,1 and the successive connection of: each nearlycompleted link to a continuously-increasingstrand of chain.

Another important object is to provide an apparatus for and a processof making-phain wherein the bending, shaping and forming 7 both of said curvilinear end bars;

elements for performing each operation (or segregated series of operations) in the production of chain are self-contained and easy to adjust without reference to bending, shaping and forming elements for performingother operations (or segregated series of operations) the working elements of the present apparatus and process bein simpler than the working elements of apparatuses such as that of the Osswald patent identified wherein each working element is attached to the others, and having great advantage over Working elements or dies operated on different and independent presses, there being no danger, When utilizing the present apparatus to practice the improved method, of making up a large batch'of one Operation and later ing elements for each chain link producingoperation (or segregated series of operations) which are practically independent of the working elements for all other chain link producing operations (or segregated series of operations) and also contemplating the presentation of each blank successively and at once to each of the working elements for perfornr' ing all of the chain producing operations, whereby imperfections canbe immediately detected, as in the case of apparatuses such as that of the Osswald patent identified, a distinct improvement over dies operated on independent presses, and whereby to produce more accurate links with less trouble and care than necessary when utilizing an apparatus such as that of Osswald.

Another important object is to provide an apparatus for and a process of making chain links eachhaving side bars and curvilinear end bars, which contemplate the severance of blanks, one by one, from a strip of metal, and the performance of successive and inclependent link producin operations upon each severed blank, whereby to more easily form It seems impossible to nicely balance the operation of shaping the curvilinear end bars of a link unless the shaping is done after the link is severed from the strip.

Another important object is to provide an apparatus for and a process of making chain links and assembling them which contemplate the severance, one by one, from a strip of metal, of blanks, the feeding of each blank, step by step, from station to station in the machine, and the performance at each station of a chain link producing operation (or segregated series of operations) upon each blank.

- Another important object is to provide in the apparatus an improved and novel severedchain-link-blank feeding and positioning mechanism.

Another important object is to provide in the apparatus a severed-chain-link-blank feeding and positioning mechanism including a transfer slide and devices for ejecting the blanks from the dies and situating said blanks in position to be carried ahead step by step, from work station to work station, by the slide. i

Another important object is to provide in the apparatus an'inproved and novel feeding and positioning mechanism for the severed link blanks which adapted to cooperate with ordinary devices heretofore utilized to feed the s rip metal to the apparatus and the finished chain out of themachine.

Another important object is to provide in the apparatus me hanism for feeding the trip metal, the severed links, and the finished chain, together with mechanism for stretching or sizing the links as completed by the apparatus.

iinother important object is to provide an s wherein the feeding of th severed am work station to work station is a complished in. such manner as to insure l hat there will be exact registration between each severed blank and the working elements each of said stations.

Ctner important objects are to provide a novel construction of mechanism in the appa ratus for successively severing, one bv one, chai link blanks from a strip of metal; to provide novel workingelements for successively receiving and operating upon each blank whereby the blank is progressively transformed into a chain link; and to provide novel and improved mechanism for actuating all of the operating parts of the apparatus in synchronism.

()ther objects and advanta will become apparent from the drawings and description of construction and operation of a machine embodying the invention herein selected for the purpose of illustration.

l a front elevational view, partly broken away, of a machine illustrating one way of carrying out the invention, the improved apparatus being incorporated in the machine 'Fig. 2 isv a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the strip feed mechanism on'the machine; V

Fig. 3 is'a front view of a portion of the strip feed mechanism, detached;

'Fig. l is 'n en rged view of the dies, show .ing them in section and engagement With lanlm of metal, t e sizing mechr em and the V. or llliCiiFiL .sn also being elcclosed;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding with the disclosureof l, but showing the dies spaced apart and the strip, incompleted chain links, and connected chain as ready to be fed ahead the uprights) one step,.tlie dies for the sake of clearness be ing further apart than: they would. .bewith the strip, links and chain in thefpo's'itions disclosed; 1

Fig.6 is abet-tom dies; 1

1 Fig.1" is a top plan view of the lower dies; Fig. 8 is a sectional view as on line 88 in Fi 6 orFig. 7. 1

1g. 9 is a sectional view as on line 99 in i Zdisclosing the carrierfcr the movable dies in side elevation, andthe transfer slide actuating mechanism in therearward position of said transfer slide i V v 10 is a detail view disclosing the transfer slide actuating mechanism in the advanced position of saidtrans'l'er slide I Fig. ll is anenlarged fragmentary "front elevational view of the machine, partly )lan view olthe u aoer broken away and "in section, detailingjthe' mechanism for elevating thelinl-z blanks from the lower dies;

- Fi 12 is a fra 'mentar I elevational View as seen from the left in F ig. .11 g

Fig.13 1s a bottom plan view oi a part of the disclosureof Fig. 12

Fig. leis an edge'view of a stripof metal andincompleted blanksbeing formed into a,

chain, some formed and coupled links being d d jaw 27 adapted to engage the upper s rface shown; and I Fig. 15 isa pla viewofthemetal strip .i'ncoinpleted blanks, and chain shown in Fig; 1 as viewed "from the bottom of Fig. 14.

in the drawings, 1 indicates as an entirety the'mainframe of the machine comprising uprights 2,. 3, and a bed 4: arranged between 5 is a vertically mounted to move up and down in guides 6, 7, on the main frame. i I

8 is a main drive shaft transversely mounted in bearings atthe upper end of the frame. .9 is .a 'countershaitt transversely mounted upon the main frame and extending from one side to'the other thereof; H V side of the main frame the counter sha i't carries a loose pulley 10,.a fast pulley 11 and a fly wheel 12. At the other side of the frame the said counter shaft has mountedloosely upon it a pinion 13 carrying one element 14 ofa clutch 14, the other element Meof which is splinedto the countershaft9. Any suitable meehanisinmay be emplcyedifor throw- 1 to the framefor feedingthe.stoclcor st ofmetal from which the chain links are to be ing the longitudinally movable: element 14a of said clutch into and out of engagement 'i'viththe element 1 1, so as totransmit power- 15 is a gear wheel through the pinion l3. rigidly secured to said main sha tandfin mesh with the pinion 13. J

16 is an eccentric on the main shaft 8 nected by eccentric straps 17, l'Zf and pitman 18 to the slide 5. g Any suitable mechanism may be attached reciprocatable slide "At oneconformed toaloc'ation above the bed or bolster of thepr'ess forthefirst operation upon-said stockoristrip. of metal. For-the purpose of illustration, I have, in the drawings, shown 'a-Lfeed. mechanism of which 19 isa bracket secured to the standardfiof the frame and having ahorizontally disposed platform 20, the inner end cfwhich extends into a holelS 7 through the standard. 3.

21, 21, are side walls extending vertically upward," one'at. each-side of the platform 20. 22 is'a horizontally reciprocatable slide suitably mounted at either sideuin guidewaysin which I normally tends to press the slide agalnst'the upper: walls oi its guideways to lnsure theclosing of the'feed aws, to be hereinafter described, before the slide commences to move forward.- V 1 261s a gripp ng piece carried'by the slide 22, having 'an'upwardly turned jaw 26 adapted to engage the under surface of the stock or strip ofmetal to befed to the-bed 4L. 27. man oscillatable' gripping dog having a of thestrip of metal'to be fed, ata point directly above the gripping j aw 26. This gripping 27 is pivotally mounted between upwardly extending lugs or cars 22,' 22 on the "slide22, 1 and tending arm 28.

carries an upwardly en- 29 is a bell'cranlr lever pivotally connected at 29 between the side walls. 21 of the bracket 19; I f

30 is a rodpivotallyconnected at 30 to the upper end of the arm'28,-and at 30a to the free end of the lever 29. i

31is an adjustable stop for limiting jthe throw ofthe arm 28 in clockwise direction. This toppreferably consists of a screw extendlng' through a threaded opening in a crossbar 22a, which latter extends between the ears122, 22,0n the slide 22.

32'is a ,cranlr'disccarried by the main drivev shaft 8 and havingfa crank pin 32 to which is pivotally-.-connectedone end of a connecting .rod 33', theotherend of which is suitably connectd to the free end of the'arm' 29b of the bell crank lever 29.

34L, 34.,and 35 35pare straightening rolls for the strip of metal or stock. These rolls are horizontally disposed and suitably. mount- ;ed betweenthe side walls 21, 21 on the bracket19. Astrip of metal, indicated by 36, is directed between the rolls 34, 34, and 35, 35andbetween the gripping lips 26and 27'. The dog 27 andarm 28. are shaped and proportioned to'have a slight rocking motion relative'to the slide 22, so that in normal op:

arm 29a of the bell crank 7 each of the nice eration, as the connecting rod 30 is drawn to the right in Figs. 1 and 2, the gripping jaw 27" is rocked out of engagement with the upper surface of the strip of metal 86. The arm 28 then engages the stop 31 and the slide 22 recedes with the connecting rod 30. Upon the reversal of travel of the rod 30, it rocks forward the upper end of the arm 28 and causes the gripping jaw 27 to engage the upper surface of the strip 36, thereby gripping the said strip firmly between the jaws 26 and 27 and the slide 22 and strip 36 are together fed forward.

37 is a carrier or holder for the movable or up per dies, it being suitably connected to the slide 5, and SS'represents a die bed for the stationary or lower dies, said die bed 88 being secured upon the bed 4 in any suitable manner.

As disclosed, there are five sets of oppositely disposed dies, indicated 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 respectively, each set consisting of an 7 upper, movable die 44 and lower, stationary die 45, and all of said dies 44, 45, are preferably arranged in longitudinal alignment with the line of feed of the strip 36 and are proper-. ly centered relative to the said line of feed. Each set of dies 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 is adapted to accomplish a chain making operation (or segregated series of operations) to be performed in the machine. It is to be understood that a. greater or less number of sets of dies can be utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the upper die 44 of each set is disposed directly opposite the lower die 45 of the same set.

Each die 44, 45 may be associated with the carrier 37 and die bed 38, respectively, in any suitable manner. As disclosed, each die 44 has a shank 46 fitted in an opening 47 in the carrier 87, and oppositely disposed flanges 48 upon the lower face of said carrier insure the set positions of said dies 44. The die 44 for cooperating with a die 45 for accomplishing the first operation, or segregated series of operations, to produce chain, is at slightly higher elevation than the remainder of said dies 44. The die bed 38 is recessed as at 49, and an anvil plate 50 rests upon said die bed at the base of said recess. A block 51 within the recess 49 and upon the anvil plate has spaced openings 52 in which four of the dies are suitably situated to rest upon said anvil plate. The remaining die 45, for cooperating with the corresponding'die 44 for the first operation, or segregated series of operations, to produce chain, is suitably located in a smaller recess 53 of the die bed 38' and is at an elevation slightly above that of the dies 45 within said recess It is apparent that 44 and 45. is thus associated with the carrier 37, or the die bed 38, as the case may be, independently of all other dies.

' The first set of di s,indicated 39, is, as disclosed, for the purpose of completely outlining each link blank. 54 are scoring knives or ch1sels arranged upon the upper die 44 of the set of dies 39, for the first operation, or

segregated series of operations, adapted to impart lines of score to the upper surface of the strip of metal, which lines are parallel in thedirection of the feed of said strip. 55 is a scoring knife of said mentioned upper die 44 adapted to impart a line of score to the upper surface of the strip of metal, which line is at right-angles to the lines of score imparted by the knives or chisels 54, between said mentioned lines and not far from their rear ends. 56 is a scoring knife of said mentioned upper die 44 adap" d to impart a transverse score to the strip of metal along the line of severance of two links which are to adjoin each other. 57 are corresponding scoring knives or chisels of the die 45 of said set 39 arranged to impart lines of score to the under surface of the strip of metal, each of which lines is directly beneath line of score imparted by one of the upper scoring knives 54. 58 is a correspen ng scoring knife or chisel of the die 45 of e old set 39 arranged to impart a line of score to the under surface of the strip of metal, which line is directly beneath the line of score imparted by the upper scoring knife 55. 59 is a corresponding scoring knife or chisel of the die of said set 89 arranged to impart a line of score to the under surface ofthe strip of metal, which line is directly beneath the line of score imparted by the upper scoring knife 56. It is to be understood that although the set of ies 39 as disclosed is adapted to coin pletely outline each link blank before the same is severed from the strip of metal, stock to provide a blank could be severed from the strip in advance of any link producing operations whatever.

The lower die 45 of the set of dies and the upper die 44 of the set of dies 40 are adapted to cooperate to sever the link blanks, one by one, at the score line made by the knives 56 and 59, from the strip of metal. To the accomplishment of this end said upper die 44 of the set 40 has a rearward trans verse severing edge 60 adapted to cooperate with a forward transverse sever-i g edge 61 of said lowerdie 45 of the set 39 in a manner which is clear in Figs. 4 and Z.

The set of dies, indicated 40, for pc ing the second operation, or segrc' of operations, for producing cha disclosed, essentially for the pin poses of breaking the metal of each severed link blank along the line of score made by the scoring knives 55, 58, and along portions of the lines of score made by the scoring knives or chisels 54, 57 to define the long, narrow lip of the it will be r name a as the other sets,v could perform link transforming op'erafions 1n a; manner and a sequence driierent .fromic the manner, and Se quencedisclos'ed. v

Ofthe lower or stationary die'of the second set of dies, Gflrepresents a: severing and bending projection adapted to entcra de- *pressicnv (33? oftheupperor movable (he 44:

of said second set 40. 64l'is'a,transverse severing edge at the rear of said-projection 62 adapted to cooperate with a trn isverseseveringedgewGS of said upperdie 44-, of thesecondset and at the rear of said-depression 63, to sever the metal along the line of scoremade by thescoringj knives 55, 58. 66 indicate longitudinalseveringedges of-saidbending' proj ection 163 of the second set adapted to cooperate w th longitudinal severing .edges67' of theyupper die or depression 63" ofsaidsecond set, to severthe rmetal along -the portions of the lines of scorexmadeflby the knives .54, '57 torle-fine the long, narrow lip of thelarge end or sprocket bar. {The 7 outeror upper face 68 of the bending .;p1o-

jectionGO is inclined slightly to' cause the long, narrow lipor the large end or sprocket bar to be displaced upwardly a trifle-from the planeof the metalblank when past the second'set o'f dies. As will be evident from include the working elements for (breaking themetal along portions of the lines of'score made by the scoring-knives or-chisels 54, 57 to "define the short, narrow lip of 'the small end bar or :pintle,=for bending, forrningor shaping the small end bar orpintle 'to finalz curvilinear 1 form, for .bendin'g,, forming or shaping the short,zw1'de 11p Of'jl'jh large end I or sprocket bar to final curvilinear form, and for preliminary bending, forming or crimp- 1 ing the long, narrowlip oi said large :end or sprocket bar. 1

(3f the upper dieeefofthe third set ofdies, 69 denotes a crimping punch having apart-- circle, preferably approximately :half circle,

transverse convex crrmpingsurit'ace 7O adapted to cooperatewith v a coniplemental concave crimpi-i'ig surface 71 of the lowe r die 4:5)of

L' said third set to bendyformyor shape the small end baroi alink blankrtofinal, desira bly half-circle configuration. As"disclosed, the convex crimplng surface 70 1n'clu'des-a rea-rwanh quarter-circle part 70 which is complementalto a rearward quarter-circle part 71" of the concave surface 71 in shaping the 'short,-,wide lip of the's'mall end bar or pintle, andfsaidfcrimping surface 70 includes a forward; quarter-circle part 'ZOa which is coni plemental to a forward quarter-circle part 71a, ofsaid surface'7 11in shaping the short,

narrowlip of saidsmall endbaror pintle, I

the construction ofthe crimping-surfaces 70 and 71 being, such that both curvilinear lips of the small end bar'or :pintle are-shaped upwardly from theplane; of the strip of ;metal; See Figs. 4 and 5. The forward part of "the punch 76 9 includes longitudinal-severmg edges 72- complemental to se'v'ering' edges 73 ofthe lower'dieof said thirdset in severing the metal. for the short, narrow lip of the small endv bar or pintle' along portions 01" the lines ofscore 54, 57' to defin'efsaid short,

narrow lip; The'lowerdie 4150f thethird'set of, dies has a concave crimping projection '7e iniadvance of the crimping surface 71,

which is complemental to-the convex crimpset,,the surfaceslle and 75' desirably being of part-circle, preferably quarter-circle, configuration, and bein adapted to*togetlierc rimp wthe freeendof the long, narrowlip ofthe' large end or sprocket 'barofthelink, ,previ-' ously severed by the second set of dies. c-In advance of the surface 74the lower die ofthe third set is inclined as ati76 to conform to the inclined surfaced? of the upper-die ofcsaid third I the sameias that of: the su rface 68 ofrthelower die of the second. set of dies, fora-n obvious purpose. In advance of'the'incl-ination 76the ,ingsurface 75 of the upper-die ofthe-cthird set, "thegjfi'nclination being nab-Out lower dieofthe thirdset. includesa concave part-circle crimping surface 78 adapted to cooperate wlth a complemental conve-xcrinip sing surface 790i theiupper die of the third set toberid, form, or shape the short, :wide 7 I lip 'of' thelarge end' or sprocket bar to fin-a1 I curvilinearform. disclosed, the free end oft he long,narrow-lip:and the short, .wide e lip of the large end or sprocket bar. are crimp.-

ed upwardly from theineta'l blank. Nature ally, certain bending, forming and shaping surfaces which operate uponthe narrow lipsof: the end bars must-be ofwidth. to enter between the link sidebars.v As disclosed, all

a of theworking'elements "are of width approximately equal tothe distance between the side :harsiof the link being produced,"eXcept'the crimpingv surfaces 71, 70 and 78," 79 which formfthe short, wide lips of the small end bar or pintle and the large end or sprocket bar,

respectively. *As in'the case of the second set of 'dies,the 'flat faces oft he upper and lowerdies of the third-set 41 engage the link side bars-and thus cooperate in. insuring the position of "the link iwhilerthe' working elements of the dies are functioning. 6an'd7. a I

The fourth set of dies, indicated 42, for

accompli'shingthe fourth operation, 'Oi 'Seg regatedserles oi operations, for producing chain, may includethe-working elementsfor positionlng thesmall endbar' or pl'n'tleg of the linkat desired and proper angle to "the link side bars, and for throwingthe short,

"wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar downwardly and the long, narrow lip there of further upwardly, to thus place the large end or sprocket bar in position for the final that is necessary to throw the short, wide lips of the end bars downwardly below the plane of the link blank is to produce bends at the opposite ends of each side bar, the downward throwing of the short, wide lips, naturally, causing the long, narrow lip of the large end or'sprocket bar and the short, narrow lip of the small end bar or pintle to be thrown upwardly. V

Of the upper die 44 of the fourth set of dies, 80 are punches at the rear of die 44 adapted to cooperate with bending edges 81 of the lower die/45 of the fourth set to pro .duce bends in the rear ends of the link side bars toposition the small end baror pint-le 'at right-angles to said side bars, the lower die being'cut away as at 82 to allow clearance for the short,'w1de lip of said small end bar or pintle. The punches 80 are spaced apart a distance about equal to the width of the 7 short, narrow lip of the small end bar or edges 81.

is cut away as at 88 to allow clearance pintle in order that said short, narrow lip; can clear said punches during the bending operation. The working faces 83 of said punches 80 are desirably of part-circle configuration, as are also the cut-away portions 82 of the lower die of the fourth set. During the bending operation the working faces 83 engage the inner face of the already formed short, wide lip of the small end bar or pintle,

while the link side bars lie between fiat sur-' faces 84 and 85 of the upper and lower dies, respectively, in such manner that the rear ends of'said link side bars are at said bending 86 are somewhat similar punches at the front of the upper die 44 of the fourth set of dies adapted to cooperate with bending edges 8"? of the lower die of the fourth set to produce bends in the front ends of the link side barsto throw the short, wide lip of the large end. or sprocket bar downwardly and thus position said large end or sprocket bar in its final assembling position. In advance of the bending edges 8? the lower die for said short, wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar. The punches 86 are spaced apart a distance about equal to the width of the long, narrow lip of the large end or sprocket bar'in order that said long, narrow lip can clear said punches. The working faces 89 of the punches 86 and the cut-away portions 88 are also of part-circle configuration. During the bending operation the working faces 89 engage the inner face of the already formed short, wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar, and the front ends of the link side bars are at the bending edges 87, Clearly, the fiat surfaces 84 and 85 cooperate to insure the position of each link blank in the fourth set of dies during the bending operations as described, and at the finish of the operation in the fourth set of dies, said flat surfaces 84 and 85 are all in engagement with the side bars, the surfaces 84 being above said side bars and the surfaces 85 being below them. It will be evident that the punches 80 and 86 engage parts of the inner faces of the wide end bars of the link blank beyond the width of the narrow lips thereof, and that this engagement will be sufficient in cooperation with the bending edges of the lower die, to put bends in the extremities of both side bars. See Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The upper die of the fourth set is, naturally, cut away to be clear of-the upwardly thrown narrow lips. See Figs. 4 and 5.

The fifth set of dies, indicated 43, may include the assembling elements.

The upper die 44 of the fifth set of dies includes a part-circle surface 90, preferably less than a half-circle, and the lower die 45 of the fifth set includes a complemental partcircle surface 91 in advance of which is a spacing mandrel 92. When a link blank reaches the dies of the fifth set it is positioned upon the lower die thereof in such manner that the short, wide lip of the sprocket bar rests in the part-circle surface 91, just back of the mandrel 92, and, evidently, when the dies of the fifth set operate, the part-circle surfaces 90 and 91 cooperate to roll the long, narrow lip of the sprocket bar about the small'end bar or pintle of a preceding link. See Fig. 4. The spacing mandrel 92 is for the purpose of defining the detaching slot present in the finished chain. The upper and lower dies of the fifth set of dies include recesses, denoted 93 and 94, respectively, allowing clearance for the already formed and positioned small end bar or pintle when the dies of the fifth set are performing their function, and flat surfaces of the dies between the part-circle surfaces and recesses insure .set of dies, denoted 39. This guide may be of any construction suiting it to its purpose. As disclosed, it consists of apiece 96 of metal the upper face 97 of which is in the horizontal plane of the working: face ofthe lower die of the first setof dies, ,anda piece 98 of metal the lower face of which rests upon the flat face 97 and has a groove 99 providing a slot 'bed 38 complete; the construction;

5, 6, 7,8 and 9.

positionedas disclosed in Figs.

Numeral 101'indicates a stop-forthe metal strip which is positioned between the second and third sets ofdies. The purpose of this stop is to arrest thea-dvance of the strip upon each actuation of theistrip feeding mechanism so that the blanks which are severed will be uniform length and so that the scorg ing-operations will be accurately and'similarly situated on all of 'the blanks. 101 maybe. an L-sha'pedmember as disclosed secured to the die bed38 as at102 and having a vertical forward face l03 extending transverselyoflthe line of feed of the'strip and atthe elevation of said line 'of feed; See Figs. 1, a, 5'and 7. 1 4

A transfer slide 104. beneath the working forthe purpose of advancing the severed blanks step by step, from work station to workstation; that is, from the second to the third, from the third to the. fourth, and from the fourth to the fifth set ofdies,-in the machine. .The transfer slide and its --actuating mechanism will be most clear from Figs. 1, 4,

105 is abar suitably mounted in the die bed to belongitudinally recipro'catable, and 106 is a plate fixed to said bar as at 107 and including severedblank-receiving openings 108, 109, and110. The plate 106 is. normally situate the opening' 108 directly above the lower die ofth'e second set of dies 40, the opening 109 directly above the lower die of the thirdset- 41, and theopening 110 directly above the lower die of the fourth set 42. The

openings 108 and 109 are-rectangular and are of dimension to nicely receive the severed blanks and upperdies and to allow free passage of the blanks and upper dies 'th-rough'the openings,' each of'said openings 108'and 109 being bounded by side. walls "111, a rear wall 112, and a front wall 113. The opening 110 is similar to the openings 108 and 109 with the exception that saidopening 110 has no front wall; Desirably, the plate 106 is closelyadja cent to or. contiguous with the upper flat faces of the lower dies, and reciprocation of the bar 105 causes said openings of said plate 106 to be moved longitudinally of the line of feed of the metal blanks. The opening 108 is adapted to receive each blank assoonas severed by the upper dieof the, second set and the lower the of the hrst set of dies in the manner already described, allowingsaid blank to or p to the lower die of thesecond set. When a blank has been operated upon by the dies The stop the fifth set of dies.

5 and 7, to

of the second set, it is positioned in'the opens ing 108 of the transfer slide. Forward re;

ciprocation' (toward theleft as disclosedin Figs. 1, 5 and 7)-of the transferslide with to position directly above the lower die of the third set of dies, whence the blank at thetime in saidop'ening ,108is adapted to fall to said returned to its normalposition, and upon advancement or -bll6 plate 106 the blank'iscar rie-d in said opening109' from said third set to the fourth set allowed to engage the lows or die of said fourth set. -When ablank has been operated upon by the dies of the fourth set, it is positioned in the opening 110 of the plate:106,the slide having returned to normal position, and upon advancement of the plate theblank is carried to the lower die of It is to be understood of course, that each forward reciprocation of the transfer slide carries a severed blank from the. second to the -third,"from'the third to the fourth, and from tae fourth to the fifth set of dies, the rearward reciprocations of the transfer slide beingaccomplished at a time and in a manner-to be clear ofthe working elements of theupper dies and ofthe severed blanks themselves. I operateswith'the transfer slide to allow the blanks to pass from the openings 108, 109 and 1 110 to enter the lower dies, and 750 elevate or eject the blanks'froin the lower dies and place th'eniinrsaidopenings after said blanks are operated upon.-

(lap plates 114: secured upon the die bed 38 l 105 Mechanism to be described co-.

to the link 11'? as at 122, and an arm 123 of said-"bell crank leverengages the transfer slide. 124 is a cutaway portion of the bar 1105 which cut-away portion isbounded front by an oblique surface 125 and at rear by 'anarc-shaped surface 126, and 127 is an opening in a side edge of the plate 106 directly above the cut away portion 124, said opening having a front wall 128 and a rear wall 129. Theouteriend 130 of the ar1n'123 of the bell crank' lever is arc-shaped and adapted to ride overthe' surface 126 of the bar without imparting movement to said bar, and the" outer end portion'ofsaid arm 123 is of dimension toenter the opening 127 in theplate 106. De-

plate 106 is adapted to move said opening 108 T As the carrier is elevated with the vertically reciprocatable slide 5, the arm 123 of the bell. crank lever rides upwardly over the rearward arc-shaped surface 126 of the bar 105 im parting no movement to said bar until the up per dies have been elevated above the plate 106 of the transfer slide and until the upper die of the second set is above the plane of the strip of metal, it being understood that in being dcpressed said upper dies have passed through the openings 103, 109 and 110 in the plate 106 to act upon severe-dblanks supported by the lower dies. Then as the arm 123 leaves the rearward surface 126 of the cut-away portion of the bar 105 and the slide is further elevated, the free end portion of said arm 1.23 enters the opening 127 in the plate 106 and engaging the forward wall 123 of said opening moves the slide to its forward or advanced position, at which time the arm 123 engages the forward surface 125 of t iecut-away por tion of the bar. See 10. is the slide 5 with car "ier again comes down, the arm 123 engages the rearward wall 129 of the orening 127 and carries the transfer slide back to its normal position, the opening 108 reaching its rearward or normal. position before the link blank is severed from the strip of metal. As the slide 5 thence descends'to its lowest position the working operations upon the link blanks are performed,.while the arm 123 is moving downwardly over the rearward areshaped surface 126 of the bar 105 without disturbing the position of the bar. It will be evident that the transfer slide moves for-' wardly once and rearwardly once for each working operation of the upper and lower dies, upward movement of the slide 5 with the carrier 37 advancing the transfer slide after the upper oies'have receded from the openings 103, 109 and 110 of the transfer slide, and downward movement of the slide with carrier returr slide to normal, rearthe transfer ward position before the upper dies have reached. the elevation of the transfer slidein feet, before the upper dies of the second has severec. a link blank. The rearward arc-shaped surface of the cut-away portion of he bar 105 provides a dwell cooperatin with the outer end of the arm 123 to hold the transfer slide at the extreme of its movement when in rearward position said transfer slide remaining stationary in rearward or normal position when the carrier 37 is at or near its depressed position. The plate 106 can be cut away (as at 132 between the openings 109 and 110 to clear the free crimped end of the long, narrow lip of the large end orrsprocket bar upon the rearward movement while the transfer slide is in its normal, r irward position, before said transfer slide is moved forwardly, said mechanism noldin each blank elevated just above the plane or thefiat upper face of the block 51 until blank is beyond the lower die from which fed, and preferably, the ejecting mechanism remains in the elevateo position of the blanks until ti o transfer slide reaches its forward position, receding at this time to normal position to allow the blanks toenter the lower dies of the third, fourth and fifth sets of dies, respectively, to receive them for a working operation. That is to say, the severed blanks from the lower dies of the second, third and fourth sets of dies are allowed to enter the lower dies of the third. fourth and fifth sets of dies, respectiveiy, when the transfer slide is in its farthest advanced position andthe Sllf e is up, said transfer slide then returning to its rearward or normal position as the u: per dies move downwardly, and said upper dies passing afterward through the openings 108, 109 and 110 on their way to operate. The mechanism for ejecting the blanks from the lower dies of the second, third and fourth sets also includes devices for ejecting the blanks from the lower die of the fifth or assembling set of dies after they are operated upon and before the connected chain is fed ahead in a manner to be described, said devices working in unison with the remainder of the blank ejecting mechanism, allowin' the severed blanks to enter the lower die or the fifth set for a working operation, and holding the assembled blanks elevated until clear of the spacing mandrel 92.

The severed'link-blank ejecting or olevating mechanism is best disclosed in 1, 4:, 5, 7,8,11, 12 and 13. 133 and 13d c enotc spaced apart bearing brackets secured upon the bottom of the machine frame, the bracket 133 being attached as at 135 beneath the upright 2, and the-bracket 13 1 being attached as at 136 beneath the working dies. A shaft 13'? mounted'in said brackets 133 and 13 1 fixedly carries a lever 13S upon its end portion at the fly wheel side of the machine (see Figs. 1, 11 and 12). 139 is a connecting rod pivoted at its lower end 1 to the free end of the lever 138 and having a forked upper end portion 141 which is situated upon the main shaft 8, the connecting rod 130 being adjustable lengthwise. The upper end portion 141 is positioned between the upright 2 and a box cam 142 fixed upon said main shaft, and said upperend portion of the connecting vide the small end bar or 'pintle of the link,

rodhas astud carrying a roller 143 adapted to ride in a cam'path 14 1 of said box, cam. The shaft 137 also fixedly carries a lever 145 upon its end portion beyond the bearing bracket 134. 1&6 is a guide upon thebracket 134 for a vertically reciprocatable slide 1 17 having a slot 148 which receives the free end of the lever 145 "(see Figs. 12 and 13). The levers 138 and 14:5 are at opposite sides of the shaft 137, so that whenthe lever 18 8.is depressed, thelever 145 withslide l4i7is elevated, and vice versa: The slide 1417 includes actuating members 149 associated with said slide in any suitable manner andadapted to elevating the blanks from the lower dieof the secondiset of dies, 10, one being adapted to engage the lower face of the metal to proat the. midwidth thereof, and two being in transverse alignment andadapted to engage the lower face of the metal for the short, Wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar-adjacent the side edges'of the blank. There are four ejectors for elevating the blanks from the lower die of the third set 41, two rearward ones and two forward ones adapted to engage the blank side bars. There is one ejector for elevating the blanks from thelower die of the fourth set 42 which includes a member 154.: having a fiat upper face between the flat surfaces 85 adapted to engage the lower surfaces of the formed end bars ofthe blank. There are four ejectors for elevating the blanks from the lower die of the fifth set 13, two rearward ones and two forward ones adapted to engage the formed end bars at spaced apart locations. Any other convenient arrangement of ejectors 150 not in: terfering with the operations of the working dies can be employed, those shown being suit able. As willbe clear from Figs. 4c, 5, Hand 12,. the actuating members 1 19 are adapted to engage the lower ends of the ejector's 150 when thetslideld'? is elevated to lift-all-of the ejectors. in cases wherethc ej' ectors-are opposite each other a single member'ldt) has a cross-piece 155 adapted to engage and lift two 1 ejectors. Any suitable equivalent arrangement couldbe substituted.

It will be evident that the time oflifting of the eie'ctors 150 and the interval said ejectors are heldin raised position will depend upon the construction .of the-cam path-of the box cam, and this construction will be that to accomplish the result as alreadyQ-hereinbefore stated Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be apparentthat'the distances the severed blanks are lifted to be removed fromthe different lower dies must be variable. To accomplish lifts of variable distancethe actuating members are'initially set at greater or less distance from the ejectors. See Fig. For accuracy, the members 149 are adjustably associated withthe slide 147 asindicated at 156.

Mechanism is employed for extracting and guiding the formed andcoupled links outof the machine. This mechanism may be of any suitable character. As disclosed, 157 denotes a chain guide comprising a horizontal plate 158 having its inner end portion resting upon the die bed 38 and its outer end portion projectinginto an opening through the adjacent wall of the main frame of the machine, and aguiding member 159 upon said plate, screws 160 holding said plate 158 and member 159' c toftheydie bed andto each other. The guid:

mg member is longitudinally grooved and recessed. as indicated at 161 to constitute a guideway for the chain. 162 is a sprocket wheel proj ectingthrough a longitudinal slot 163 in'the outerend of the plate 158, said sprocket wheel being free to rotate upona I shaft 16,4-in spaced bearinglugs 165 upon the die bed 38. The upper face of the plate 158 is flat-and is at about the elevation of the spacing mandrel 92, the outer end of said upper face being rounded as at 166' adjacent the sprocket wheel- 1671s a ratchet wheel free to rotate upon the shaft 164. The sprocket wheel 162 and said ratchet wheel 167 are integral with each other, 168 denoting a cylin drical connector upon the shaft 164% and between said-wheels. 7 As shown, the unit consisting of the sprocket wheel, the cylindrical connector, and the-ratchet wheel approxi mately fills the space between the bearing lugs 165, Whl0ll lugs locate said unit transversely not of the machine frame. 169is a pawl pivotally connected upon the forward end portion of the bar as at 170, a spring 171 urgingsaid pawl. 169 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 167 (seeFigs. 7 and 9).

Upon each forward movement of the trans fer slide with bar105, the pawl 169 is-adapted to engage tooth of the ratchet wheel and rotate the unit consisting of the ratchet wheel, the connector and the sprocket wheel ahead one step, so, that thefeeding ahead of the connected chain is accomplished in synchronism with-the, feeding. ahead ofthefsevered blanks,

as well as the strip ofme-taL. Upon reverse or rearward movements} of. the bar 105 the pawl slides over theteeth of [the ratchet wheel. 172 is a spring having one of its ends 173 :secured'to'the die bed 38 and its other end 17 4% bearing against the teeth of the sprocket wheel 162 to offer a frictional resistance "to. the rotation of the unit consisting of the sprocket wheel, connector and ratchet Wheel.

Any suitable mechanism maybe employed for the purpose of correcting the size and pitch of the chain links. The size and pitch correcting mechanism is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 175. Of this mechanism, 176 is an arm extending forwardly from and preferably detachably secured, as at 177, to the carrier 37. This arm 176 has secured to it, as at 178, a downwardly eX- tending linger 179 which is pointed at its lower end as indicated at 180, the rear sur face 181 of the said pointed linger being shorter than and at greater inclination to the horizontal than the front surface 182 of the said linger. This finger 179 is arranged to enter the sprocket opening in the last link but one of the links formed in the machine. 183 is an obliquely disposed block or finger secured, as at 18 1, in an oblique way 185 at the front of the arm 17 The block or linger 183 extends downwardly beneath the arm 17%, as indicated at 186, and is adapted to enter the sprocket opening in the link next preceding the link entered by the finger 179. 187 is a forward vertical face of the block or finger 183 rounded somewhat at its lower end and 188 is a horizontal face thereof. 189 is an adjusting screw fitted in the arm 17 6 and adapted to engage the upper oblique face 190 of said block or linger 183. The purpose of said screw is to adjust, in cooperation with the screw bolt 1841, the block or finger 183 downwardly or upwardly, from or toward the finger 179. In operation, the finger 179 enters an opening 191 in the plate 158. See Fig. 4.

The distance between the front wall 187 of the block or finger 183 and the rear wall 181 of the finger 179 remains substantially constant when the machine is in operation. If a link is shorter in pitch than it should be, these sizing fingers bring it up to proper pitch by stretching it. In practice, it is desirable to form and arrange the working dies for making of the desired and proper pitch, chain links from the thinnest sections of the strip of metal used, depending upon the stretcher or pitch correcting device 17 5 to draw the links formed from the thicker sections of the strip of metal up to gage.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood. A strip of metal 36 is directed through the feed mechanism until the rrioain 'aws 26 27 of said feed mecha-' 1 ll 1: l

nism can engage it. Power is then applied through the counter shaft 9 to actuate the machine. The strip is guided and centered by the guide so as to lie properly between the upper and lower dies of the first set of dies 39. The slide 5 with carrier having working dies descends and a section of metal to form a link blank is first acted upon by the scoring knives or chisels which completely outline the blank, producing the longitu dinal score lines 192, the short transverse score line 193, and the longer transverse score line 194, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The upper die is then elevated and the feed mechanism operates to feed the stock forward one step, the feeding commencing just after the upper die of the second set a0 is above the blank which immediately falls (through i the opening 108 of the transfer slide at the time in its rearward or normal position immediately above the lower die of the second set of dies 40) into the lower die of said second set. As the slide descends further, the dies of the second set cooperate to break the metal of the severed blank along the line of score 193 and portions of the line of score 192 and to remove the long, narrow lip of the large end or sprocket bar out of the plane of the link blank as indicated at 195. l/Vhen the slide is next elevated, the ejectors 150 first lift the severed blank out of the lower die of the second set 410 and position said blank in the opening 108 in the plate 106 of the transfer slide, then said slide advances said severed blank to the lower die of the third set of dies A1, and the objectors recede to allow the blank to enter said lower die of the third set. As the slide 5 descends the transfer slide moves from its forward to its normal, rearward position, and the upper die of the third set passes through the opening 109 of the plate 106 of the transfer slide and cooperates with the lower die of said third set in operating upon the blank. The combined action of the working elements of the third set is to break the metal along portions of the lines of score 192 to define the short, narrow lip of the small end bar or pintle; to give said small end bar or pintle its final curvilinear form as indicated at 196; to give the short, wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar its final curvilinear form as indicated at 197; and to crimp to curvilinear form the free end of the long, narrow lip of said large end or sprocket bar as indicated at 198. As the slide again goes up, the blank is fed to the fourth set of dies 12 in the manner as already described, to be there operated upon by the working elements of said fourth set, the upper die of the fourth set passing through the opening 110 on its way toward the lower die. The combined action of said working elements of the fourth set is to position the small end bar or pintle at right-angle to the link side bars as indicated at 199, and to throw the short, wide lip of the large end or sprocket bar downwardly and the long, narrow lip thereof upwardly to thus place the large end or sprocket bar in position for the final assembling operation as indicated at 200. As the slide again goes up the blank is fed to the fifth set of dies l3 in the same man- 11 neras from the second to the third and from the third to the fourth sets. The combined action of the'working elements of the fifth set is to curl or roll the metal of the long,

narrow lip of the large end or sprocket bar into cylindrical shape and about the small end bar or pintle of the next preceding link as indicated at 201, the free end of said long,

narrow lip having previously been crimped in the third set of. dies. The slide is then elevated and the extracting mechanism pulls the completed link out of the stationary die of the fifth set and advances it into position in which its small end bar or pintle is properly centered relative to the forming elements 90 and 91 so that the large end or sprocket bar of the next link in the series will be formed around it and these two links thus assembled. One sprocket tooth of the sprocket wheel 162 projects through a formed link in the guide 157 and when the'transfer slide with bar 105 is advanced, the pawl 169 engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 167 and turns the unit consisting of the sprocket wheel, the connector and the ratchet wheel,

the rotation-of the sprocket wheel-being sufficient to advance a formed link one step. When the slide next descends the pitch correcting'finger '17 9 enters the next to the last formedlink, its surface 181 engages the large end or sprocket bar of the last formed link and moves rearward the last formed link,

positioning said link with its small end bar overlapping the forward end of the next succeeding link and properly centered relative to the forming elements 90, 91. The stretching and pitch correcting finger 183 enters the link coupled to the link entered by the finger 17 9, andthese two fingers cooperate to corroot the pitch of the links. At the next elevation of the slide the extractor operates 'to advance the formed link another step,

and this step by step advancing of the formed links, as well as of the strip of metal and severed blanks, within the machine is continued, one link at a time being delivered from the machine.

The advantages of the'present method and "apparatus over disclosures such as that of the Osswald patent identified and over dies operbeen hereinbefore set forth.

Many alterations 1n the construction and ated on. independent presses have already many apparently widely differing embodi 'ments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art of making sheet metal chain links and chain making machines without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. The disclosure and description herein are purely illustrative, and

are not intended'to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

' 1. In a machine for making chain links,

means for removing sections of similar shape oneby one froma strip of metalto provide working elements adapted to successively enblanks, a set of working elements adapted to 'successl vely engage eachblank,meansrfor deliverlng the-blanks one ata time to said men- I V tioned set of Working elements, means for removing each blank from said mentioned set of working elements after an operation is performed, means for feedingthe blanksone at a time to a different set of Working elements, and means for assembling the blanks into a chain.

2. Ina machine for making chain links,

means for removing sections of similar shape one by'one' from a strip of metal to provide 7 of working elements after an operation is per- 2:

formed, and means for assembling theblanks into a chain.

. 3. In a machine for making chain links, means for removing sections of similar shape one by one from a strip ofnietal to provide blanks, a set of working elements adaptedto successively engage each blank, means for deposltlng the blanks one at a t-lme to said mentioned set of working'elements, means for removingeach blank from said mentloned set of working elements after an'operation is performed, a plurality of other sets of'working elements adapted to successively and inde- 'pendently engage each blank, means for deilivering the blanks one at a time to each. of said other sets of working elements, means for removing each blank from each of said other sets of working elements after an operation is performed, and means for assembling the blanks into a chain.

4:. In a machine formaking chain, means for feeding a strip of metalahead step by step, means for removing sections one by one from-the stripto provide blanks, a set of gage'each blank, means for delivering the blanks one at atimeto said mentioned set of working elements, 'means for removing each blank from saidmentioned set of working elements after an operation is performed, other sets of working elements, means for successively feeding the blanks one at a time to each of said other sets of working elements, means for. removing the blanks from each other set of working elements after an-operati'on is performed, assembling elements,

'means for successively feeding the blanks one at a time'to said vassembling elements, and means for removi said assembling elements.

g the'finished links from iii) 5. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of sets of Working elements each adapted to perform an operation upon a link blank, a transfer slide adapted to transport link blanks from one set of Working elenrnts to another, and mechanism for ejecting the link blanks from the Working elements of the different sets after an operation upon said blanks and for locating said blanks in said transfer slide to be fed ahead.

6. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of sets of Working elements each adapted to perform an operation upona link lank, a transfer slide adapted to transport in; blanks one at a time from one set of working elements to another, and mechanism cooperating with said transfer slide adapted to allow the blanks to be removed from the slide to enter the working elements of the different sets for an operation upon said blanks, to eject said blanks from Working elements after an operation upon the blanks, and to locate said blanks in said transfer slide to be fed ahead.

7. In a machine of the character described, a stationary member, a movable member, a plurality of sets of Working elements each consisting of a die upon said stationary memher and a die upon said movable member, each set of Working elements being adapted to perform a transforming operation upon a chain link blank, atransfer slide adapted to transport blanks one at a time from one set of Workin g elements to another, and mechanism cooperating with said transfer slide adapted to allow the blanks to be removed from the slide to enter the Working elements of the difi'erent sets for an operation upon said blanks, to eject said blanks from said working elements after an operation upon the blanks, and to locate said blanks in said transfer slide to be fed ahead. 7

8. In a machine of the character described,

stationary member, a movable member, a plurality of sets of Working elements each consisting of a die upon said stationary memher and a die upon said movable member each set of Working elements being adapted to perform a transformingoperation upon a chain link blank, a transfer slide adapted to transport blanks one at a time from one set of Working elements to another, means for actuating said transfer slide, mechanism cooperating With said transfer slide adapted to allow the blanks to be removed from the slide to enter the Working elements of the, different sets for an operation upon the blanks, to eject said blanks from said Working elements after an operation upon the blanks, and to locate said blanks in said transfer slide to allow them to feed ahead, and means for actuating said mechanism.

9. 111 a machine of the character described, a stationary member, a movable member, a plurality of sets of Working elements each consisting of a die upon said stationary member and die upon said movable member, each set of Worl-Iing elements being adapted perform a transforming operation u n a chain link blank, a transfer slide adapted to transport blanks one at at-ime from one set of Working elements to another, mechanism cooperating with said transfer slide adapted to allow the blan s to be removed from the slide to enter the Working elements of ihe different sets for an operation upon said blanks, to eject said blanks from said Working elements after an operation upon the blanks, and to locate said blanks in said transfer slide to be fed ahead, and means for actuating said movable xmember, said isfer slide, and said mechanism cooperating with said transfer slide in synchronism.

10. in a machine for making chain, a sta tionary member, a movable member, means for ctnating said movable member, a plurality of sets of Working elements each consisting of a die upon said stationary member and a die upon said movable member, each et of Working elements being adapted to perform a transforming operation upon a chain link blank to transform it into a partially completed link, a. of assembling elements consisting of a die upon said stationary member and a die upon said movable member, said assembling elements being adapted to connect each partially completed link as formed to a strand of chain, means for feeding a strip of metal ahead step by step, cooperative means upon said stationary and movable members for severing sections from astrip one by one to provide chain link blanks, a transfer slide adapted to transport blanks one at a time from one set of Working elements to another and from the last set of Working elements to the set of assembling elements, mechanism cooperating With said transfer slide adapted to allow the blanks to be removed from the slide to enter the Working elements of the different sets for an operation upon the blanks and to enter an assembling element of said assembling set for an operation upon the partially completed links, to eject said blanks from said Working elements after an operation upon said blanks and said partially completed links from said assembling element after an operation upon each partially completed link, and to locate said blanks in said transfer slide to be fed ahead, means for actuating said transfer slide and its cooperating mechanism, and means for feeding said strand of chain ahead step by step.

ll. The combination as specified in claim 10, wherein the means for actuating the movable member, the means for feedin the strip of metal ahead step by step, the means for actuating the transfer slide and its cooperating mechanism, and the means for feeding the to discharge the blanks at said strand of chain ahead step by step are all interconnected to be in synchronism.

12. Ina cliain-making machine, means to feed a strip of metal,meansto sever link blanks from said strip, a transfer slide having a plurality of openings therein to receive said blanks, sets ofdies registering with said openings and adapted toperform link-forming operations upon blanks, means to move said slide to carry blanks in said openings into registry with other sets of dies, means other sets, and means to return said slide to initial position.

13. In a chain-making machine, means to feed a strip of metal, means to sever link blanks from said strip, atransfer slide having a plurality of openings therein to receive ing with each of said said blanks, sets of dies registering with said openings and adapted'to perform linkformmg operatlons upon blanks, means to move said slide to carry blanks in said open ings into, registry with other sets: of dies, means to discharge the blanks at said other sets, means to return said slide to initial posit1on,means tojoin links together to form a e finished chain, and means actuated by movement of said slide to feed saidchain from the machine.

14. Ina chain-making machine, a transfer slide having a plurality of spaced openings I move said slide to bring at least one of said openings into registry with a difierent set of dies, one of said openings being at the end of the slide and being open towards said end, the set of dies registering with said opening being adapted to join together two links of I the chain.'

16. In a chain-making machine, means to vi eed a strip of metal, means to sever link blanks from said strip, a transfer slide having a plurality of openings therein to receive said blanks, sets of dies registering with said openings andadapted to perform link-forms ing operations upon blanks, each set of dies comprising a relatively stationary and a rela-. tively movable die, a carrier for said movable dies, means to move said carrier with its dies towards andaway from said stationary dies, and means operated bysaid movement adapted to actuate said slide to carry blanks in the said openings into registry with other sets of dies and to return the slide to the initial position.

17. In a chain-making machine, means to feed a strip of metal, means to sever link blanks from said strip, a transferslide having a plurality of openings therein to receive it said blanks, sets of dies registering with said openings and adapted to perform link-forming operations upon blanks, each set of dies comprising a'relatively stationary and a relatively movable die, acarrier for said movadies towards and away from said stationary dies, a bell crank lever mounted on a fixed lever tosaid carrier and adapted to rock said lever upon movement of said carrier, and

means on said slide engaged with theother arm of said lever to cause reciprocation of the slide as the lever is rocked on its movement of the carriage.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield, and State ofConnecticut, this 20th day of August, A. D. 1926. a r

V SYLVANUS D. LOCKE.

straight line to bring pivot by c "ble dies, means to move said carrier with its 7 5 pivot, a link connecting one arm of said 

